Mr. Orvan H. Thompson's Obituary
Orvan Henry Thompson was born on November 15, 1918 in the small town of Red Deer in Alberta, Canada. He was one of the six children born of Thomas and Mary Thompson.
Growing up, Orvan spent much of his time working on the family's thousand-acre wheat and cattle farm. After completing both grade school and high school at the local one-room schoolhouse in Red Deer; he attended Canadian Junior College, where he enjoyed playing the violin in the college orchestra.
Later, while working for a lumber company out in the Canadian bush, he came across a 1938 edition of the Reader's Digest featuring an article on Madison College, a unique school which offered a variety of industries that allowed students to work their way through college. Orvan applied right away, and the following Summer he hitchhiked 3,000 miles to Madison, Tennessee. It was there he met his lifelong love, Evelyn Ingram--a fellow nursing student from Joelton, Tennessee.
Orvan completed three years of college--two of which were nursing training--before being drafted into the Army in 1942, serving as a medic in the 75th Infantry Division during World War II. Shortly after, while stationed in Paris, Tennessee, he asked Evelyn to marry him. The two were married on January 19, 1943 and spent over seventy incredible years together!
After 4 years of service and being assignedto numerous army stations across the United States, Orvan was honorably discharged in 1946. He and Evelyn made their home in Madison, Tennesee where they raised their four children: Steve, Janet, Gayle, and Barry. It was also where Orvan operated his own professional photography business--Thompson Studio--for 18 years. After the children were grown, he enjoyed traveling with his wife. Together, they visited twelve countries, including: Norway, Denmark, Scotland, England, and Australia. Throughout the course of his life, Orvan also managed to visit every state in America, with Alaska being the only exception.
He eventually returned to nursing, working many years at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. It was there he became recognized as "Vanderbilt's Oldest Working Nurse", as he did not not fully retire until age 92!
Orvan--better known as "Grandpa T.--was dearly loved and will be deeply missed by many, including his 3 children, ten grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. He will now rest peacefully until Jesus comes again to take him home.
What’s your fondest memory of Orvan?
What’s a lesson you learned from Orvan?
Share a story where Orvan's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Orvan you’ll never forget.
How did Orvan make you smile?
